Rafael must be some sort of cunt to hit Sylvie

Rafael van der Vaart has been pictured in Abu Dhabi the day after apologising for hitting his wife in a fight on New Year’s Eve.

The ex-Spurs footballer, who is in the Middle East for a training camp, branded himself an ‘idiot’ after he allegedly struck his wife at a private party.

Van der Vaart said: ‘It was very foolish of me. I’m an idiot. I’m very sorry. It should never have happened.’

Sylvie said that she forgave him, but the couple later announced they had separated.

She said: ‘I have forgiven him already.’

The couple, once dubbed the new Beckhams thanks to their good looks and respective successful careers, announced their split last week.

Hamburger SV footballer Rafael said: ‘I am very sad that it did not work with us. We are the culprits.’

‘Sylvie alone and I have to answer for it, that our marriage does not work.’

Meanwhile Sylvie is quoted as saying: ‘We have unfortunately drifted apart over time. It was a gradual process that was not easy to stop. Even though it sounds weird, we still love and respect each other.’

The split comes just a few days after the 29-year-old footballer posted a snap of his family celebrating Christmas together.

In the picture he is seen sharing a warm embrace with Sylvie, with their son stood smiling in front of them.

It been reported that the pair’s relationship split comes following a heated argument on New Year’s Eve. A spokesperson for the couple was unavailable for comment earlier today.

The couple wed in 2005, before welcoming their son the following year.

In 2009 Sylvie revealed she was suffering from breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy to fight the disease.

Speaking about being diagnosed at the time she said: ‘All the luxuries in the world are no protection against that moment when you are told the diagnosis. Then you are just a woman.’